Milwaukee’s hyper-aggressive defensive scheme is a problem. The image is ingrained in the minds of Raptors fans by now: a Raptors big man comes up to set a high screen for one of DeMar DeRozan or Kyle Lowry, the Bucks spring a trap containing 28 feet of wingspan, and the Toronto offense reverts to the fetal position.
Jason Kidd’s swarming defense has ripped the heart out of the Raptors offense. In the regular season, Toronto’s offense subsisted on its star guards making headway as pick-and-roll ball handlers. Per NBA.com’s tracking data, about a quarter of all Raptors possessions unfolded with a guard finding a shot out of a screen-and-roll action.